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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Refurbished: Worth It in 2026?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra launched with a premium price tag of £1,249, making it one of the most expensive Android smartphones on the market. Fast forward to 2026, and professionally refurbished models are widely available from around £500, depending on storage capacity and cosmetic condition.
That raises an important question: should you buy a brand-new mid-range phone, or a refurbished flagship that originally cost more than twice as much?
After spending time testing the Galaxy S24 Ultra, it’s easy to see why it remains one of the most popular refurbished Android phones available. While newer devices offer incremental improvements, Samsung’s former flagship still delivers an outstanding combination of performance, cameras and premium build quality at a much more accessible price.
📺 Watch Our Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Refurbished Review
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Refurbished: Is It Still Worth It?
More than two years after launch, the Galaxy S24 Ultra still feels like a premium smartphone.
The titanium frame feels solid in the hand, the flat display gives it a clean, modern appearance, and the overall build quality easily rivals many newer flagship devices.
Unlike some older smartphones that begin to look dated after a few years, the S24 Ultra still looks and feels like a current-generation premium phone.
If you handed it to someone unfamiliar with Samsung’s lineup, they would be unlikely to guess it wasn’t a brand-new release.
Display Quality Still Impresses
Samsung has long been known for producing some of the best smartphone displays, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra is no exception.
Its 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display remains one of the standout features of the device.
During testing, the screen was exceptionally bright outdoors, colours looked vibrant without appearing oversaturated, and scrolling through apps felt incredibly smooth thanks to the adaptive 120Hz refresh rate.
Whether you’re streaming Netflix, watching YouTube, browsing social media or editing photos, the display still delivers a flagship viewing experience.
The Gorilla Armor glass also helps reduce reflections, making the screen easier to see in bright daylight than many competing phones.
Performance That Still Feels Flagship
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor alongside 12GB of RAM.
In everyday use, it still feels exceptionally fast.
Apps launch almost instantly, multitasking is effortless, and switching between demanding applications never feels sluggish.
During our testing, we found no issues using navigation, streaming video, editing photos or jumping between multiple apps throughout the day.
Even graphically demanding games ran smoothly with high visual settings enabled.
For the vast majority of users, there’s little to suggest this is a smartphone that’s now around two years old.
Camera Performance in 2026
One of the biggest reasons the Galaxy S24 Ultra continues to stand out is its camera system.
It includes:
- 200MP main camera
- 12MP ultra-wide camera
- 50MP 5x telephoto camera
- 10MP 3x telephoto camera
The cameras continue to produce detailed, colourful images across a wide range of lighting conditions.
We were particularly impressed by the dedicated telephoto lenses. Unlike many mid-range smartphones that rely heavily on digital zoom, the S24 Ultra captures genuinely sharp images when zooming in on distant subjects.
Portrait mode still performs well, low-light photography remains impressive, and video stabilisation produces smooth footage when shooting handheld.
For holidays, family photos, social media content and everyday photography, the camera system continues to outperform many brand-new phones costing a similar amount.
Battery Life
Battery performance naturally depends on the condition of the refurbished device you purchase, but our test unit comfortably lasted a full day of typical use.
That’s why it’s worth buying from a reputable refurbished retailer that thoroughly tests battery performance before resale.
If battery health information is available before purchase, it’s always worth checking.
Software Support & Galaxy AI
One of the biggest advantages of buying a refurbished Galaxy S24 Ultra is Samsung’s long software support policy.
With seven years of Android and security updates, the phone continues to receive One UI updates and Galaxy AI features, helping it feel modern despite its age.
Useful features such as:
- Circle to Search
- AI-assisted photo editing
- Live Translation
- AI productivity tools
continue to add value well beyond launch.
Long-term software support is one of the reasons the S24 Ultra remains such a sensible refurbished purchase.
Buying a Refurbished Galaxy S24 Ultra
Buying refurbished isn’t simply about finding the lowest price.
Before purchasing, it’s worth checking:
- Cosmetic condition
- Battery health (where available)
- Warranty length
- Whether the phone is network unlocked
- The seller’s refurbishment process
You can learn more about our phone grading process here: Phone Grading Guide
For more information on why refurbished phones are different from used devices, read our guide: New vs Refurbished vs Used Phones
A reputable refurbished seller offering a warranty and proper quality checks provides much greater peace of mind than buying from an unknown private seller.
Refurbished Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Brand-New Mid-Range Phone
For around the same money, buyers often choose between a refurbished flagship and a new mid-range smartphone.
| Feature | Refurbished Galaxy S24 Ultra | Typical New Mid-Range Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Build | Titanium | Plastic |
| Display | Premium AMOLED 120Hz | Good AMOLED/LCD |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Mid-range chipset |
| Cameras | Quad flagship cameras | Basic dual/triple cameras |
| Optical Zoom | ✔ Yes | Usually No |
| S Pen | ✔ Included | ✘ No |
For roughly the same budget, the refurbished flagship usually offers considerably more premium hardware.
Why Buy From Us?
We inspect and test hundreds of refurbished smartphones before they are listed for sale. Every device is:
- Fully tested
- Battery performance checked
- Data wiped
- Network unlocked (where stated)
- Professionally cleaned
- Quality checked before dispatch
- Backed by a 12-month warranty
- Supported by our customer service team
You can find out more about our refurbished Samsung phones here: Refurbished Samsung Phones
For full warranty details, visit: Warranty Information
This means you can buy with confidence, knowing your device has been carefully checked before it reaches you.
Who Should Buy the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is ideal if you:
- Want flagship performance for around £500
- Take lots of photos
- Enjoy mobile gaming
- Want a large premium display
- Like using the S Pen
- Plan to keep your phone for several years
Who Should Avoid It?
While we highly recommend the Galaxy S24 Ultra, it won’t suit everyone.
You may prefer another phone if you:
- Prefer compact smartphones
- Want the latest camera hardware available
- Prioritise ultra-fast charging
- Rarely use large-screen devices
Frequently Asked Questions
Is buying a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra safe?
Yes. Buying from a reputable refurbished retailer that offers a warranty and return policy is one of the safest ways to purchase a premium smartphone for less.
How many software updates does the Galaxy S24 Ultra have left?
Samsung’s extended software support means the Galaxy S24 Ultra continues to receive Android and security updates, making it a great long-term purchase.
Is refurbished better than buying used?
In most cases, yes.
Refurbished phones are professionally tested, cleaned and checked before being resold, whereas used phones are often sold without inspection or warranty.
Is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Battery Still Good in 2026?
Yes. The Galaxy S24 Ultra still offers very good battery life and should comfortably last a full day for most users.
With refurbished phones, battery performance depends on the condition of the device, so always check that battery health has been tested before buying.
Ready to Buy?
If you’ve watched our review and decided the Galaxy S24 Ultra is right for you, browse our latest refurbished stock below.
Every phone is professionally tested, backed by a warranty and dispatched quickly from the UK.
Final Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra proves that buying refurbished remains one of the smartest ways to own a premium smartphone.
Rather than spending well over £1,000 on a brand-new flagship, you can enjoy outstanding performance, one of the best displays on the market, excellent cameras and premium build quality for around half the original launch price.
While newer flagship phones naturally introduce refinements, the improvements are relatively modest for most users.
If you can find a refurbished Galaxy S24 Ultra in excellent condition from a trusted retailer, it’s still one of the best-value Android smartphones you can buy in 2026.
